Making Beats: The Art of Sample-Based Hip-Hop (Music / Culture)

This book has been quite insightful to me. Mostly in regards to certain elements about sample base hip hop (which I produce) that I was unaware of. It is helpful to a new guy trying to make beats or even a seasoned veteran. The book is mostly based on interviews with numerous established producers where they are all asked the same question and then they reply and the author gives his view after. I wish there were more books on this topic written in the same way

This examination of the subtle points of sample-based hip-hop production is more philosophical than technical, but great info and insight from the author and his interviewees are in store. It's not an instruction book or how-to manual on how to make beats, just some background and some dos and don'ts for beginners and those who want to learn more about the craft.

It's sort of a study in a book form, rather than just a regular book. It's very precise and what not, but not very entertaining. I recommend it, if you're interested in the subject.

Interesting exploration of underground hip-hop production. A limited diversity of interviewees hampers its usefulness - I was incredibly disturbed when one interviewee said, unchallenged, that the use of live instruments was "not real hip-hop." Otherwise, an interesting, albeit short-sighted journey.

I'm usually pretty skeptical of books written about hip-hop by authors with PhD's. Most of the time, they don't get it. They aren't hip hop heads, although they might own a few Cd's. Mike Dyson, Tricia Rose, et cetera.I think this book gets it right.But the title of this book is misleading. It's not a how-to book on making hip hop beats.It's an ethnographic study on hip hop producers, most of which are underground/college radio hip hop makers.So chances are most Amazon customers won't know the names of the producers, or even be able to recognize any of their songs.But if you know names like Paul C, Diamond D, Showbiz, Pete Rock, Premier, Dilla, Marley Marl, Supreme, Soulman, Dj Muro - this book is really good.There are a lot of insider issues that producers talk about between themselves, but never really get into the main hip hop discussion, and so it has no chance of getting into the mainstream.Joe decided to look at producers and ask these questions. He interviewed folks like Dj Kool Akiem (of the Micranauts), Vitamin D, Domino of Hieroglyphics, and he asks questions like- Why do you need to sample, why not just replay the sample?- What's the big deal with reissues?- Producers who didn't start out as Dj's- Will you sample from a rap record?If you're just a hip hop head, the quotes from producers are probably the most interesting part of the book. You really get to look into 1 school of thought on how to make beats.If you're an academic, it's got plenty of footnotes, and lots of support for his ideas.For me, I think the best part of the book was the literature review. He looks at a lot of the bigger books on the subject of hip hop and breaks them down as to why they don't make sense.The only problem I really see with the book, is that it focuses on a certain type of producer. Sample based, means sampled from vinyl. You won't find a "keyboard" producer. You won't find producers that make g-rap type beats. (Mannie Fresh type of producer). It's very biased towards an underground, old east coast sound 89-93 era, aesthetic. Which is all the more interesting since he's based on the West Coast.

Great book! I learned a lot from not knowing much about the music itself. Yes I appreciate good music but there are so much work in one particular song that I didn't know, and i learned how the process of making beats, creating songs and develop a song by sampling works. YES! I can now say and agree that sampling respectfully and carefully is good for hip-hop and like Schloss explains in the book, sampling is the foundation of the music system. The music is not just being put together easy, its work and it starts by "diggin in the crates" a term I now love and respect!By Paula Espinoza

Over the years I have bought quite a few books about producing with samples or general music production overall. This book is the holy grail!!! Love it!! anyone interested in hiphop as a culture and artform should have this book on their shelf.It is very critical to the ethics of sample based music, from the perspective of those who respect it as a craft. No Jackin for beats once you cross this line.If you've ever tried to explain sampling to someone who just thinks you steal other peoples music, just take a pause and hand them a copy of this book. I've had for quite a while but I think I might re-read it soon.

Quality Material............................If I Have To Say What is Lacking I'd Have to Say Some Example Pics..But Not Much Else...The Sampling Ethics are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The Diggin Info is GOOD ALSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The DJ History/Info is KOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!A Very Well Spent $20-----Trust That!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good

5* What else to sat?

Excellent ouvrage en anglais sur les pratiques des beatmakers et leur éthique.

Fast, cheap and pro, so what more can i say? Thanks for the easy and fast bussiness, 100% great stuff.

Livre très instructif! Il serait utile d'avoir plus d'ouvrages de ce type sur le hip-hop. Envoi assez long mais c'était dû à une incompréhension entre Amazon et l'acheteur.